The beatitudes

Quest. What is it to regard iniquity? Quest. Answ. 1 Answ. 1. When we indulge sin; when sin not only lives in us, but we live in sin. Some will leave all their sins but one: Jacob would let all his sons go but Benjamin; Satan can hold a man by one sin; the Fowler holds the Bird fast enough by a Wing or Claw: Others hide their sins, like one that shuts up his Shop-windows, but follows his Trade within doors: Many deal with their sins, as Moses his mother dealt with him, she hid him in the Ark of Bulrushes, as if she had left him quite; but her eye was still upon him, and in conclusion she became his Nurse, Exod. 2.9. So many seem to leave their sins, but they only hide them from the eye of others, their heart still goes after them, and at last they Nurse, and give the breast to their sins.

2. To regard iniquity, is to delight in iniquity. A child of God, though he sins, yet he doth not take a complacency in sin. Rom. 7.15. What I hate, that do I; but impure souls make a recreation of sin. 2 Thes. 2.12. ⟨p. 232⟩They had pleasure in unrighteousness. Never did one feed with more delight on a dish he loves, than a wicked man doth upon the forbidden fruit. This delight shows the will is in the sin. Et voluntas est regula, & mensura actionis.

2. To regard iniquity, is to delight in iniquity. A child of God, though he sins, yet he doth not take a complacency in sin. Rom. 7.15. What I hate, that do I; but impure souls make a recreation of sin. 2 Thes. 2.12. ⟨p. 232⟩